On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 104 into law, and we’d like to provide you with important information on how this legislation may relate to your student. The bill contained three major provisions: retention, grading, and graduation policies. Below you will find information about each provision.

Retention

In preparation for the 2021-22 school year, students will be eligible for a retention consultation if they received deficient grades for at least one-half of their coursework in 2020-21 and their parents are interested in holding them back a grade level. Deficient grades include grades of D, F, or No Pass. This temporary retention policy is in addition to any existing district retention policies. Students who were in 12th grade in 2020-21 are not eligible.    

Parents/guardians of eligible students must request the retention consultation in writing. Districts then have 30 calendar days to hold the consultation and 10 calendar days after that meeting to issue a final decision.

How to Request Retention Consultation

If you would like to request a retention consultation for your “eligible pupil” (a pupil who has received deficient grades for at least one-half of the pupil’s coursework in the 2020-21 academic year), please follow these steps:

1. Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to the left.
2. Print, fill out, sign, and date the AB 104 Retention Consultation Request form (English)  (Spanish). The form can also be found in the FAQ's below. 
3. Email or drop off the filled-out AB 104 Retention Consultation Request form to your site principal.
4. You will be contacted and a consultation meeting will be held within 30 calendar days after submitting your request

Grading

AB 104 permits parents of students who were in high school in 2020-21 (or the student, if they have turned 18) to request letter grades for last year be changed to Pass/No Pass on transcripts. The new law requires CSU, and encourages UC and private postsecondary institutions, to accept those grade designations without prejudice.  

Parents were sent a letter regarding this process on Monday, August 2nd. 

Graduation Requirements

AB 104 exempts 2020-21 juniors and seniors from high school graduation requirements beyond statewide requirements if they are not on track to graduate in four years and requires school districts to provide opportunities for juniors and seniors to meet statewide graduation requirements through, among other avenues, the fifth year of high school. 

Please contact your school site with any additional questions you may have.